A video of a couple walking along EDSA has gone viral, drawing mixed reactions online and sparking legal debate on Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda (CIA with BA).
“Is there an actual law prohibiting pedestrians from walking on EDSA or other major highways?” one viewer asked in the program’s Tanong ng Pilipino segment.
Atty. Jackie Gan answered bluntly that it is not legal. “Meron po tayong mga batas na nagsasaad kung saan lang po pwedeng tumawid at maglakad,” she explained, adding that Sen. Pia Cayetano filed Senate Bill No. 24, the Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act, to ensure safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.
Host Boy Abunda pressed further: “But if it’s illegal, what charges could pedestrians face?” Atty. Marian Cayetano clarified, “Actually wala namang nakasulat sa MMDA regulation ngunit… sa ating mga local ordinance… ‘pag naglakad ka sa EDSA, ito po ay jaywalking.”
Atty. Mark Demova emphasized that drivers cannot ignore their duty of care. “Mali naman talaga ‘yung ginawa nila pero… it doesn’t mean na tayo bilang mga driver ay hindi na mag-e-exercise ng due diligence,” he said, warning that failure to do so could mean reckless imprudence “resulting in homicide… or physical injury.”
Sen. Alan Cayetano, who co-hosts the show with his sister Pia and Abunda, concluded that the issue underscored shared responsibility: “Kailangan nating lahat—drivers, pedestrians, commuters—to respect the rules of the road.”
“CIA with BA” airs Sundays at 11 pm on GMA 7, with replays on GTV every Saturday at 10:30 pm.
